at Mom who fondly ruffled his hair.
"So, what is new at school?" Jake asked interrupting Cole's mother-son lovefest.
Cole said, "Don't worry, Dad. I am studying every day, but also I’ve joined a new organization. It’s an anti-bullying movement. At college, just like high school, lots of kids are bullied or cyberbullied. Our group is working to educate people about it and to try and stop it."
"That’s great son," Dad said looking proud. "Glad to hear that you're taking a stand."
"Sounds cool," Jake said. "By the way, where are you sleeping tonight? Mom redecorated your room. It's now a sewing room."
"I'm sleeping in your bed, Runt."
"I don't think so," Jake said.
"Now boys," Mom said. "Jake, let your brother have the bottom bunk for tonight."
"Sheez, Mom!" Jake complained. "Why do I always have to sleep on the top?"
"Because you're the runt," Cole teased tousling Jake's hair.
"Mom!"
Chapter Six
Jake lay on the top bunk when his brother finally came to bed. "I’m not going to put you out of your bed, Runt. I’ll take the top bunk," Cole said.
"It’s okay. I’m already up here," Jake said. "I am glad you came home tonight."
"Well, I have to leave early to make it back to school on time, so I’m going to get some shut-eye."
"Good night," Jake said.
"Good night, Runt," Cole said.
The events of the day had unsettled Jake. He tossed and turned and tossed some more.
"Dude, you’re flipping around up there like a dolphin! What’s going on?" Cole complained.
"I can't seem to get to sleep."
"Why not?" Cole asked.
"Stuff on my mind," Jake said.
"What stuff? Spill it, little bro."
Jake sighed, "Some kids at school are picking on other kids; younger or that look or act differently."
"Bullies you mean?" Cole asked.
"I guess," Jake said.
"Do I know them?" Cole asked.
"Chad Martin and Wyatt Daily."
"Martin? His dad owns the shoe factory, right?"
"Yeah, that’s him."
"Have you told your teachers?" Cole asked.
"It would probably make things worse," Jake said, "and I’d be the school snitch."
"Aren’t you class president this year?" Cole asked.
"Yeah."
"That means it's your job to act. It's on you and the rest of the school council to stop this kind of nonsense," Cole said.
"I know," Jake said, "that's why I'm stressed out. I don't know what to do. Telling teachers will cause more problems, but I have to do something to help those kids."
"I have an idea," Cole said. "There is power in numbers. Your school council needs to start an anti-bullying program like the one we are doing at my school. I’ll get you the materials we are using and ask our student adviser if she will help."
"Okay,” Jake sounded doubtful. "You think that will work?"
"You know a lot of kids don’t realize they are engaging in bullying. They believe that what they are doing is just joking around, but joking or not; bullying occurs when the joke goes too far."
"That sounds a lot like Chad although sometimes I think he is just plain mean," Jake said. "I don't know what happened to him, but he is always angry these days."
"There are probably more kids than you think that don't like what is going on, but they are afraid to say so. They are afraid the bully will turn on them. You need to gather up your friends," Cole said, "then as a group, you can put a stop to this bullying."
"I could count on the kids in last year's boy's and girl's basketball team and some of the other kids too," Jake said.
"Don’t try, do," Cole stated in a solemn voice quoting Yoda from "Star Wars." He added, "Jake, you have to be the one to stand up to Chad and his friends for all the other kids. He may try to make life miserable for you, but you can handle it better than the younger kids."
"It’s not like I’m Mr. Confident," Jake said.
"We are all insecure, Runt. Look, I’ll be standing behind you all the way," Cole said patting Jake on the back.
"Okay."
"No Jake, seriously, I’ve got your back."
"Seriously, thanks, Bro," Jake said.
"You're welcome. Now, for Pete's sake, go to sleep!" Cole licked his finger and stuck it into Jake’s ear.
"Eww! Jerk!" Jake yelped pushing Jake away.
"You boys need to stop horsing around up there! Go to sleep!" Dad hollered from downstairs.
Chapter Seven
Arthur dreaded the coming day. He wanted to fake being sick and stay home, but he already knew his mom would make him go to school. In her book, only death or hospitalization was an excuse to stay home from school.
He couldn’t argue with her when sick or well she worked three jobs each week to keep a roof over their heads. Things had been tough since his dad died in Iraq two years ago, especially for his mom. Arthur tried not to ask for extras or let his mom know how rough things were going at school.
He sighed, got up, got dressed and pulled his keepsake shoebox out from under the bed. Inside the shoe box was all the money he had saved from birthdays and Christmas. There was no money in the family budget for an allowance. There was no money for much of anything except the rent and food.
Arthur wanted to get a job mowing lawns or doing yard work, but his mom wouldn't let him work until he turned sixteen. Arthur pulled out a five dollar bill and shoved it into his pocket. He let Ragmop out into the back yard, locked up the house, and started the six block walk to school. Maybe he'd see Jake after school at the park today. That at least was something he could look forward to.
Chad was waiting for him a block from the school. "Got my Fiver?" he asked.
"Here. It's the last of my money," Arthur said. "I don’t have anymore."
"There had better be a five dollar bill in your pocket tomorrow Freak, or else," Chad said stuffing the money that Arthur had given him in his pocket. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go on!
